Why do I Feel Cramps in my Ovaries

First, it is important to clarify that ovarian pain does not exist as such. When it seems that these organs are hurting, the pain refers in reality to the area just below the navel and the pelvis, usually caused by certain imbalances or disorders associated with the female reproductive system. In addition, this pain may manifest in different ways and with varying intensity in each woman. It can range from intermittent light cramps to more severe pain lasting several hours. It is also possible that cramps or pains in the ovaries appear at a particular time of the month and then spontaneously disappear.

Some possible causes follow which may explain why you feel cramps or pain in the ovaries. It is important that you stay alert to this condition and consult your doctor if the aches are intense, they don't stop or are accompanied by other symptoms.

Many women experience ovarian cramps or pain during ovulation, which is known as painful ovulation or intermenstrual pain. This discomfort usually appears mid-cycle, but may also occur before or after ovulation.

Usually, pains are felt in the lower abdomen and on one side, depending on which ovary has released an egg, or on both sides. The pains are caused by follicle growth which affects the surface of the ovary and/or irritates and inflames tissues, due to erosion caused by the follicle expelling the egg. In the majority of cases, these temporary pains are normal and are not a cause for concern. However, if you experience prolonged or very intense pain, it is best to consult your gynaecologist.

One of the most common causes of cramps or pain in the ovaries are menstrual cramps, a condition medically known as dysmenorrhea. Many women feel this type of pain in the days prior to or during menstruation. They are also occasionally accompanied by other symptoms such as bloating, headaches, breast tenderness, malaise, irritability and moodiness, among others.

If your periods are very painful, we recommend that you consult your doctor and follow their guidance.

In addition, some women have irregular menstruation and, because of this, they suffer from very intense cramps. Given this, visiting a gynaecologist is essential to determine the cause and follow any prescribed treatment if necessary. In some cases, oral contraceptives are prescribed in order to regulate menstruation.

During the first weeks of pregnancy, it is normal for women to experience cramps, pain or pangs in the ovarian area, as the body begins to experience certain hormonal changes and is preparing for pregnancy. In addition to this, if you notice the absence of your periods, breast tenderness, bloating, tiredness, fatigue or nausea, you should do a pregnancy test and visit your gynaecologist to find out for certain and establish that all is well.

It is very important to pay attention to all the symptoms that may appear, as one particular type of pregnancy known as an ectopic pregnancy can pose a great risk to a woman's health and should be terminated. In this case, the foetus does not develop in the womb but stays outside of it, which can lead to serious complications such as rupturing of a fallopian tube. In addition to pain in the pelvic area, you may have symptoms such as back pain, abnormal vaginal bleeding and discomfort. For more details, we recommend you read our article and get more information on the signs and symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy.

If a woman suffers from polycystic ovaries, this is one of the conditions which causes frequent cramps or discomfort in the ovaries. This is a disorder caused by a significant imbalance of female sex hormones which causes high levels of androgens, ovarian cysts and irregular or an absence of menstruation, known as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

When you suffer from this disorder, it is essential you start appropriate treatment as soon as possible, as ovulation does not occur normally, mature eggs are not released as they should, and a woman may experience fertility problems and complications when trying for a baby. See the following article to learn what are the symptoms of polycystic ovaries are.

Ovarian cramps or localised pain in the lower abdomen is one of the main symptoms of endometriosis. This is a condition that occurs when endometrial cells grow outside the uterus and causes the formation of bleeding lumps. Other signs and symptoms that usually appear include pain during sex, menstrual changes, problems getting pregnant, etc.

It is not an easy condition to diagnose, so if any of these symptoms manifest, it is important that you go to your doctor and undergo appropriate tests. The physician will determine the appropriate treatment based on the characteristics of each individual case.

In addition to the reasons mentioned above, other conditions that could cause cramps or pain in the ovaries and which you should bear in mind are the following:

• Pelvic inflammatory disease: Infection of the female sex organs which, in most cases, is caused by sexually transmitted diseases such as gonorrhoea or chlamydia.
• Ovarian cancer: The factors that contribute towards ovarian cancer are unknown, but it may cause symptoms such as enlarged ovaries, pelvic pain, bloating, frequent urination, anaemia and weight gain, among others.

This article is merely informative, oneHOWTO does not have the authority to prescribe any medical treatments or create a diagnosis. We invite you to visit your doctor if you have any type of condition or pain.

If you want to read similar articles to Why do I Feel Cramps in my Ovaries, we recommend you visit our Family health category.